A Failsafe mechanism or Fail-secure is a device or mechanism which minimizes the damage to machinery and personnel in the event of a failure in a system. Virtually all advanced technology has some form of failsafe.

Contents

List of known fail-safe programs and devices

Atlantis sub-aquatic fail-safe

The LanteanscientistJanus programmed Atlantis to rise to the surface of the ocean should the power level of the city fall to a critical point. By releasing the clamp holding Atlantis to the ocean floor, the city was allowed to float back up without any additional effort from the city itself. (ATL: "Before I Sleep")

Atlantis power supply fail-safe

The power supply systems of Atlantis have in place a program to ensure that if too much power is drawn from the Zero Point Module(s), they do not overload and destroy the city. This system does not appear to restrict the amount of power that the city can draw, so presumably protects the system in a different way to simply preventing too much power being drawn. (ATL: "Critical Mass")

SGC Doorlock

The Stargate CommandDoorlock Failsafe mechanism closes the base so, no one could get in and neither out. The device was activated when the Wraith broke into the base via the Stargate. (ATL: "Midway")

Asurans

The AsuranBase code had in place a fail-safe that prevented Asurans modifying their own programming. Relying on this function were programs to prevent the Asurans from harming the Ancients in any way, along with other restrictions. After Dr.Rodney McKay made changes to the base code, the Asurans were able to make changes to themselves and they disabled most, if not all, of their restrictions. (ATL: "Progeny")